Actions requested: Be aware of resources to support provider decisions about vaccinating for influenza, given that intranasal live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) is not recommended this next influenza season.

Actions requested: Consider participating in a free webinar about how to increase vaccination to protect against cancers caused by human papillomavirus.

Background & Recommendations

Human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection and is a major cause of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, penile, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers. Vaccination can reduce significantly the risk of infection and subsequent cancer. However, only 30% of Snohomish County’s 11-12 year olds have initiated the HPV series and only 9% have completed the series. By age 13-17, the rates are only 44% initiated and 24% completed. The CDC, Washington State Department of Health, and Snohomish Health District are committed to increasing vaccination rates. To that end, I urge providers to take advantage of educational webinars sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the University of Washington School of Medicine, and the Washington-Wyoming-Alaska-Montana-Idaho Area Health Education Centers.

The webinar will provide information on the burden of HPV cancers, the importance of HPV vaccination, and how to help parents overcome hesitancy about HPV vaccine. The webinar is acceptable for up to 1 Prescribed Credit by the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Upcoming webinar dates and times (PDT), and links to register for each date follow:

Long acting reversible contraception is an extremely effective strategy for preventing unwanted pregnancies. The North Sound Accountable Community of Health has partnered with the Bixby Center at the University of California – San Francisco to offer a free all-day training on long acting reversible contraception methods, notably insertion of intrauterine devices and subdermal etonogestrel (Nexplanon). The training will be in Mt. Vernon on Thursday, September 15, and includes up to 7.5 hours of CME. To register, contact Tiffany Edlin at TREdlin@hinet.org. Details about the exact location and time will be sent after registering.